Trout Brook (Trillium) Nature Sanctuary is an approximately 42 acre site located west of I-35E between Norpac Rd. and Cayuga Ave. The Nature Sanctuary is part of the larger Trout Brook Greenway. The Trout Brook Regional Trail is proposed to run through the site from Jackson St. to Cayuga where it will connect to the Gateway Trail.

The vision for the site is to create a nature preserve in the heart of a heavily urbanized area. The residential area to the west was at one time perched on a bluff that overlooked the Trout Brook valley. The Trout Brook ran from McCarron’s lake in Roseville to the Mississippi River. With the development of the railroad and industry, the creek was filled and put underground in the Trout Brook storm sewer. The natural valley was lost and, in turn, the neighborhood connection to the natural environment.

A major element of the development is the creation of a stream channel segment that runs the length of the park. The nature sanctuary development also includes a stormwater management system of filtration ponds and wetlands, restoration of pre-settlement ecosystems present in this area, a new portion of the Trout Brook Regional Trail, local connector trails, nature trails, and related amenities for a new park.

Thank you to all that have played a part in making this vision a reality!

UPDATES

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION SET FOR MAY 30TH!

Join the City of Saint Paul and Great River Greening for a volunteer planting event from 8:30 am to noon, stick around to celebrate Great River Greening’s 20th Anniversary and the completion of the Nature Sanctuary project. Please use this link for volunteer sign-up: http://www.greatrivergreening.org/vol-events/

More details to follow.

TROUT BROOK AWARDED $695,000 IN CLEAN WATER FUND LEGACY GRANT

A Clean Water Legacy Fund grant has been awarded to Trout Brook project for the installation of the lift station to deliver water to the stream from the Trout Brook Storm Sewer. This is the last piece of the full implementation plan for restoring the stream. For more historical information on the stream, please see the link to the Historical report below. Construction for the lift station won’t begin until late 2015 or early 2016.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

March 2015 Update: The construction is complete within the Nature Sanctuary. The regional trail is closed past Tilsner Carton Company - this section of the trail is to be completed by MnDOT as part of the 35E/Cayuga project.